Root Ratio Research Articles

Phytochrome B1/B2 and auxin transport are involved in the regulation of shoot: root ratio by far-red radiation in tomato

Plants possess a set of photoreceptors to perceive changes in the light spectrum. Phytochromes (PHY) B1/B2 sense changes in red: far red ratios and are involved in mediating the shade-avoidance responses (SAR) in tomato. Far red (FR) increases the fraction of dry mass partitioning to the shoot at the expense of the root in tomato, but the control of this response has not yet been explained. We studied the role of phytochromes and auxin transport in the regulation of shoot: root ratio. We hypothesized that a loss-of-function mutation in phyB1/B2 leads to a strong increase in shoot: root ratio, similar to the effect of reduced R: FR ratio in wildtype plants. We also hypothesized that the phyB1/B2 double mutation suppresses shoot: root ratio responses when exposed to a reduced R: FR ratio. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the increased shoot: root ratio is linked to the changes in auxin transport between shoot and root. To test these hypotheses, we conducted an experiment in a climate chamber where both wildtype and phyB1/B2 double mutant tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Moneymaker) were grown for 21 days with 0, 55 or 85 μmol m−2 s−1 FR in a background of white + red LED light at 150 μmol m−2 s−1. On the 14th day, auxin polar transport inhibitor 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) was applied at the shoot-root junction. PhyB1/B2 mutants showed a higher shoot: root ratio than the wildtype plants. Both wildtype and phyB1/B2 mutants responded to FR with an increase in shoot: root ratio. Blocking auxin transport from shoot to root led to an increase in shoot: root ratio for both genotypes under all light conditions. These results suggest that, similar to other SAR responses like stem elongation, the response of shoot: root ratio to additional FR also involves the regulation by phytochromes, possibly via affecting auxin transport between shoot and root.

Effects of pregnancy on electrocardiographic, vasovagal tonus index, and echocardiographic variables in horses.

Pregnancy affects maternal hemodynamics. The changes in autonomic nervous system activity for hemodynamics adaptation in pregnant horses are still unclear. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of pregnancy on electrocardiographic, vasovagal tonus index, and echocardiographic variables in horses. A total of 23 Thai native crossbred mares without any cardiac abnormalities were included in this study. The animals were assigned into two groups, a non-pregnant mare group (n =12) and a pregnant mare group (n = 11). Electrocardiogram recordings (paper speed = 25 mm/s and calibration = 10 mm/mV) were performed to obtain six limb leads (leads I, II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF). The vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) was calculated to assess variability in heart rate over short periods using just 20 consecutive beats. Cardiac structure and function were evaluated by echocardiography. Heart rate, P wave duration, PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, and T wave duration were significantly different between non-pregnant and pregnant horses (p < 0.05). Pregnant horses had significantly lower VVTI than non-pregnant (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in cardiac structures including % interventricular septum (IVS), % left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW), IVS in diastole, left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole, LVPW thickness at end-diastole, IVS in systole, left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole, LVPW thickness at end-systole, and left atrium/aortic roots ratio between the two groups. However, the pregnant horses had a significantly higher cardiac output and % ejection fraction than non-pregnant horses (p < 0.05). This study provided the first evidence that hemodynamic adaptations during pregnancy modified cardiac conduction, vasovagal tonus index, and echocardiographic variables in horses.

CmoNAC1 in pumpkin rootstocks improves salt tolerance of grafted cucumbers by binding to the promoters of CmoRBOHD1, CmoNCED6, CmoAKT1;2 and CmoHKT1;1 to regulate H2O2, ABA signaling and K+/Na+ homeostasis.

The NAC transcription factor is a type of plant-specific transcription factor that can regulate plant salt tolerance, but the underlying mechanism is unclear in grafted vegetables. H2O2 and ABA in pumpkin rootstocks can be transported to cucumber scion leaves, promoting stomatal closure to improve salt tolerance of grafted cucumbers. Despite these observations, the regulatory mechanism is unknown. Here, our research revealed that CmoNAC1 is a key transcription factor that regulates H2O2 and ABA signaling in pumpkin roots under salt stress. The function of CmoNAC1 was analyzed using root transformation and RNA-seq, and we found that pumpkin CmoNAC1 promoted the production of H2O2 and ABA via CmoRBOHD1 and CmoNCED6, respectively, and regulated K+/Na+ homeostasis via CmoAKT1;2, CmoHKT1;1, and CmoSOS1 to improve salt tolerance of grafted cucumbers. Root knockout of CmoNAC1 resulted in a significant decrease in H2O2 (52.9% and 32.1%) and ABA (21.8% and 42.7%) content and K+/Na+ ratio (81.5% and 56.3%) in leaf and roots of grafted cucumber, respectively, while overexpression showed the opposite effect. The root transformation experiment showed that CmoNCED6 could improve salt tolerance of grafted cucumbers by regulating ABA production and K+/Na+ homeostasis under salt stress. Finally, we found that CmoNAC1 bound to the promoters of CmoRBOHD1, CmoNCED6, CmoAKT1;2, and CmoHKT1;1 using yeast one-hybrid, luciferase, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. In conclusion, pumpkin CmoNAC1 not only binds to the promoters of CmoRBOHD1 and CmoNCED6 to regulate the production of H2O2 and ABA signals in roots, but also binds to the promoters of CmoAKT1;2 and CmoHKT1;1 to increase the K+/Na+ ratio, thus improving salt tolerance of grafted cucumbers.

Radiographic findings of cardiopulmonary structures can predict hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure in cats.

This study aimed to find the radiographic characteristics for the detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and congestive heart failure (CHF) in cats. Healthy cats (n = 35) and HCM cats with (21) and without (22) CHF. On radiography, the cardiac size using vertebral heart score, left atrium enlargement (LAE), and dilation of the pulmonary vessels were assessed. The sensitivity and specificity of the radiographic characteristics regarding LAE were evaluated with the echocardiographic left atrium to aortic root ratio as a reference. In HCM cats, cardiomegaly, LAE, and dilation of the caudal pulmonary artery were found compared with those in healthy cats. The LAE could be predicted using the elevation of the carina with 94.12% specificity but 17.5% sensitivity. When CHF developed, LAE and dilation of the caudal pulmonary vein (PV) were significantly different compared with those in HCM cats without CHF. The distal side of the summated shadow made by the right caudal PV with the ninth rib in HCM cats with CHF was significantly larger than that in HCM cats without CHF and a cut-off value of 5.35 mm was drawn with 75% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Although there was an overlapping of radiographic findings between healthy and HCM cats, radiographic assessment of LAE can be useful for predicting HCM and the distal side of the summated shadow made by the right caudal PV with the ninth rib can predict CHF in HCM cats.

Effect of phototherapy on the ductus arteriosus diameter in extremely premature infants: A randomised controlled trial

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common complication among preterm infants (especially birth weight < 1000 g) and is closely associated with mortality and morbidity. Phototherapy (PT) is frequently used in the treatment of jaundice in premature infants in the first week of life. The relationship between PT and PDA has been investigated in a small number of studies but has not been fully elucidated because the studies had varying results. AimTo examine the effect of PT on parameter (DA diameter, left atrial/aortic root ratio) in premature infants. MethodsThe study was planned as a prospective, randomised, double-blind study. A total of 83 infants <1000 g and < 30 weeks of gestation were included, and they were divided into two groups: the non-shielded and shielded groups. The babies included in the study were evaluated with a Doppler echocardiogram before and after PT. ResultsThe hemodynamically significant PDA (hs-PDA) and left atrial/aortic root ratio significantly decreased in the shielded group, and the need for treatment due to PDA was significantly lower. The PT times of both groups were similar. ConclusionShielding application decreases the rate and severity of hs-PDA in extremely premature babies receiving PT.

Study on the causes of growth differences in three conifers after the rainy season in the Xiong'an New Area.

The implementation of the Millennium Forestry Plan was accompanied by growth discomfort exhibiting varying degrees of symptoms in some coniferous forests after the rainy season. High soil water content affects the underground root growth and distribution characteristics of conifers, and the above-ground parts show corresponding variability. To determine the factors contributing to the significant growth disparities among the three conifers in Xiong'an New Area after the rainy season, we conducted a study investigating the growth characteristics of conifers. This study involved analyzing the external morphology of the plants, assessing leaf pigment content, measuring the root morphological index and root vigor, as well as respiratory characteristics, to evaluate the growth attributes of their root systems in a high soil moisture environment. In the "Millennium Forest" area of Xiong'an New Area, we selected three coniferous trees, Pinus tabuliformis, Pinus bungeana and Pinus armandii, and set up three standard sample plots for each conifer. The conifers were classified into 3 levels according to their growth performance (vigorous or suppressed), leaf condition (color change, wilting or not) and relevant grading criteria. (1) The growth of the three conifers displayed discernible differences in external morphology. Moreover, a decrease in growth condition corresponded to a reduction in crown size, ground diameter, diameter at breast height, leaf length, and new growths. (2) The root biomass, length, surface area, and root volume of conifers growing N class were significantly reduced than those of L class conifers. Conifers with a higher proportion of root systems in the 40-60cm soil layer experienced more severe stress. (3) The significant decline in root respiration and vigor among all three conifer growth classes (M and N) suggested that the root system was undergoing anoxic stress, particularly at a soil depth of 40-60cm where root respiration and vigor were notably reduced. (4) The persistent anoxic stress created by long-term exposure to high soil moisture content primarily impacted P. armandii to a greater extent than P. tabuliformis and P. bungeana. Additionally, the transporting and absorbing root ratios varied among conifers with differing growth conditions. The long-term high moisture environment also caused partial death of absorbing roots, which played a key role in the observed differences in growth. (5) As the soil depth increases, the soil water content increases accordingly. Plants with more root distribution in the deeper soil layers grow worse than those distributed in the top soil layers. Soil water content is related to aeration, root distribution, growth and growth of above-ground parts. The variability of root distribution and growth led to the differentiation of the growth of the above-ground part of the plant in terms of external morphology, which inhibited the overall plant growth. The results of the study provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation and management of three conifers in high soil moisture environments.

Nitrogen and phosphorus addition did not affect neutral sugars in plant but decreased them in soil in an alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau

As crucial carbon (C) and energy sources for soil microorganisms, neutral sugars are essential component of the labile soil organic carbon (SOC) pool derived from plants and microorganisms and can directly affect the accumulation of SOC. However, the changes in labile SOC components with elevated soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs remain unclear. Taking advantage of a 10-year field N and P addition experiment in an alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau, we analyzed the compositions and concentrations of neutral sugar in plant versus soil, coupled with soil nutrient properties and plant biomass, we assessed factors affecting the preservation of neutral sugars in soil. We found that the concentrations of neutral sugar were lower in plant shoots than those in roots. The concentrations of neutral sugar and the GM/AX ratio (GM: galactose and mannose; AX: arabinose and xylose) in shoots and roots were insensitive to nutrient addition. The concentrations of neutral sugar in the topsoil were significantly lower than those in the subsoil, and both significantly decreased with N alone and P alone addition. The GM/AX ratio was significantly higher in the topsoil than that in the subsoil and both increased with nutrient addition (except for NP addition in the topsoil). Additionally, SOC was negatively correlated with soil neutral sugar concentrations but positively correlated with the GM/AX ratio. This result emphasizes the important role of microbial transformation of neutral sugars in regulating the relative magnitude of the labile SOC pool versus the stable SOC pool, which is consistent with the concept of “microbial carbon pump” (MCP). This study demonstrates differential compositions and concentrations, as well as responses of neutral sugars to N and P addition in plant versus soil, providing new information to understand the effect of nutrient addition on the SOC pool in the plant-soil system.

Effect of presowing treatments and growth regulators on the propagation of Strychnos potatorum L.F. – cleaning nut tree.

Strychnos potatorum L.F. (family Loganiaceae) is a medium-sized tree, which have high demand in traditional medicine to cure the variety of diseases such as jaundice, bronchitis, diabetes, and their coagulant effect is frequently utilized to clean dirty water. Seed exhibits physiological and morphological dormancy. In order to break their seed dormancy, various pre-sowing treatments were performed. The seeds were subjected to nine treatments which includes GA3 (100 ppm, 500 ppm, 1000 ppm, 1200 ppm, 1500 ppm), H2SO4 (5, 10 min) and cold stratification in three replications. Various parameters like germination and survival percentage, germination energy, germination period, root length, shoot length, number of leaves, collar diameter, dry weight of shoot and root, shoot: root for seedlings were studied. Highest germination percentage, germination energy, germination period, shoot length, root length, number of leaves, collar diameter were observed in the seeds of Strychnos potatorum when the seeds are treated with GA3 of 1000 ppm for 24 h while dry weight of shoot and root and shoot: root ratio was maximum with GA3 of 1200 ppm for 24 hrs treatment.

Crown root ratio and angulation of various permanent teeth in patients with and without cleft lip/palate

ABSTRACT Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze parameters of tooth in subjects with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (CLCP) and to compare the findings with the control groups. Teeth in the cleft-affected and nonaffected side in the same unilateral cleft lip and palate (ULCP) patient were also compared. Materials and Methods: The study included 200 subjects in the age group of 12–37 years who were divided into two groups: nonsyndromic CLCP and control group. The control group was further subdivided into skeletal Class I, II, and III subgroups based on ANB, AO-BO, and overjet, respectively. Crown height, root length, total tooth length, crown root ratio (C/R ratio), and tooth angulations of maxillary permanent central incisors, canines, 1st premolars, and 1st molar were measured on orthopantomograms using both ITK SNAP software and manual tracing. Results: Crown heights significantly increased while root lengths significantly decreased in the CLCP patients when compared to control groups. Total tooth lengths of central incisor, canine, and 1st premolar in CLCP patients were found to be decreased significantly. C/R ratios of all the teeth of nonsyndromic CLCP group irrespective of the cleft affected or nonaffected side was found to be increased as compared to the control groups. There was a significant difference seen in crown height, root length and mesiodistal tooth angulations in the cleft affected side when compared to the non affected side in a UCLCP patient’s dentition. However the total tooth length and the C/R ratio were not affected. Conclusion: Common findings of CLCP are aberrant teeth development, altered tooth morphology, and malformed teeth. The severity of cleft has an impact on the tooth development and morphology as it was observed that delayed root development and short roots, decreased total tooth length, increased C/R ratio and variations in teeth angulations in CLCP patients were affected by the presence and severity of cleft.

Response of Growth and Yield of Mint (Mentha spicata L.) Cuttings to Auxin and Composition of Planting Media

Consumption of herbal medicines by Indonesian people is increasing because of the price and ease of obtaining them. One of the main ingredients of herbal medicine is mint leaves because they contain tannin and flavonoid secondary metabolites. However, the generative mint plant is very slow and needs vegetative cuttings propagation. This study aims to examine the effect of auxin-type growth regulators and the composition of the growing media on the growth and yield of mint plant cuttings. This study used a complete randomized block design with two factors. The first factor was the auxin growth regulator with four levels: without growth regulator, IBA 500 ppm, IAA 500 ppm, NAA 500 ppm. The second factor was the composition of the planting medium with three levels, namely soil, husk charcoal, and goat manure 3:3:1; 3:2:2, and 3:1:3. Three repetitions were carried out. Auxin affects the number and area of leaves. Applying 500 ppm NAA encouraged the highest leaf growth, with the number of leaves at 163.38. Growth regulator NAA 500 ppm increased the number of leaves and leaf area of mint plants, i.e., by 0.01% and 1.16% compared to the control. The growing media composition affected the crown fresh weight, root biomass, and crown root ratio. The media composition of 3:3:1 produced a crown fresh weight of 41.07 g, and the media composition 3:3:3 produced the highest biomass of 5.97 g. The media composition 3:1:3 showed the highest root crown ratio, 2.69%. Auxin and the composition of the growing media synergistically promote the growth and yield of mint cuttings.

The effect of different IBA doses on rooting in soft-wood cuttings of rootstock candidate sweet cherry, sour cherry and mahaleb genotypes

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different IBA (Indole Butyric Acid) concentrations on rooting in soft-wood cuttings of rootstock candidate sweet cherry, sour cherry, and mahaleb genotypes in a plastic greenhouse with underfloor heating and mist propagation of Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute. 500, 1000, and 2000 ppm IBA doses were applied to the soft-wood cuttings taken in june. Perlite was used as propagation medium and rooting medium was disinfected with methyl bromide before planting. The study was planned according to a randomized plot design with three replications and 20 cuttings in each replication. The rooting rate (%), number of roots (piece), number of branching roots (piece), and root length (mm) were investigated. The highest rooting ratio of 59 % (08 K 056) was obtained from the 1000 ppm IBA application, while the lowest rooting ratio of 22.50% (55 K 104) was obtained from the 1000 ppm IBA application.

Overexpression of a novel small auxin-up RNA gene, OsSAUR11, enhances rice deep rootedness

BackgroundDeep rooting is an important factor affecting rice drought resistance. However, few genes have been identified to control this trait in rice. Previously, we identified several candidate genes by QTL mapping of the ratio of deep rooting and gene expression analysis in rice.ResultsIn the present work, we cloned one of these candidate genes, OsSAUR11, which encodes a small auxin-up RNA (SAUR) protein. Overexpression of OsSAUR11 significantly enhanced the ratio of deep rooting of transgenic rice, but knockout of this gene did not significantly affect deep rooting. The expression of OsSAUR11 in rice root was induced by auxin and drought, and OsSAUR11-GFP was localized both in the plasma membrane and cell nucleus. Through an electrophoretic mobility shift assay and gene expression analysis in transgenic rice, we found that the transcription factor OsbZIP62 can bind to the promoter of OsSAUR11 and promote its expression. A luciferase complementary test showed that OsSAUR11 interacts with the protein phosphatase OsPP36. Additionally, expression of several auxin synthesis and transport genes (e.g., OsYUC5 and OsPIN2) were down-regulated in OsSAUR11-overexpressing rice plants.ConclusionsThis study revealed a novel gene OsSAUR11 positively regulates deep rooting in rice, which provides an empirical basis for future improvement of rice root architecture and drought resistance.

Physiological traits and metabolic profiles of contrasting rice cultivars under mild salinity stress during the seedling stage

This study aimed to investigate the effects of mild salinity stress on some physiological traits and metabolic profiles of rice during the seedling stage. Three rice cultivars differing in salinity stress response, ‘KDML105’ (salt-sensitive, local Thai jasmine rice), ‘IR29’ (salt-sensitive rice), and ‘Pokkali’ (salt-tolerant rice), were subjected to mild salinity stress by flood-irrigated with 40 mM NaCl. Salinity stress significantly reduces the growth and biomass of the sensitive cultivars. Electrolyte leakage in ‘KDML105’ and ‘IR29’ also increased significantly while the relative water content (RWC) decreased. However, salinity stress did not affect growth, electrolyte leakage, and RWC in the tolerant cultivar. Salinity significantly increased Na+/K+ ratio in shoot and root of all cultivars. Nevertheless, the increase of Na+/K+ ratio in ‘KDML105’ and ‘IR29’ was higher than that of ‘Pokkali’. The metabolic profile analysis of ‘KDML105’ showed that uracil, L-proline, malonate, L-carnitine, L-lactate, and guanine were significantly increased, but the levels of dihydroxyacetone and glycine were significantly decreased under salinity conditions. In ‘IR29’, L-proline, melatonin, gamma-aminobutyrate, and acetate were significantly increased. In ‘Pokkali’, however, sugar alcohols and sugars were slightly increased when exposed to salinity conditions. The metabolic pathway analysis revealed one involved metabolic pathway of ‘KDML105’: aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and three involved those of ‘IR29’: arginine proline metabolism, sulfur metabolism, and butanoate metabolism. The difference in the metabolic profile of the salt-tolerance salt-sensitive cultivars provides new insights to identify additional novel biomarkers that will help better understand the mechanisms for salt tolerance in rice.

Soil versus atmospheric drought: A test case of plant functional trait responses.

Climate change alters mean global surface temperatures, precipitation regimes, and atmospheric moisture. Resultant drought affects the composition and diversity of terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. To date, there have been no assessments of the combined impacts of reduced precipitation and atmospheric drying on functional trait distributions of any species in an outdoor experiment. Here, we examined whether soil and atmospheric drought affected the functional traits of a focal grass species (Poa secunda) growing in monoculture and eight-species grass communities in outdoor mesocosms. We focused on specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area, stomatal density, root:shoot ratio, and fine root:coarse root ratio responses. Leaf area and overall growth were reduced with soil drying. Root:shoot ratio only increased for P. secunda growing in monoculture under combined atmospheric and soil drought. Plant energy allocation strategy (measured using principal components) differed when P. secunda was grown in combined soil and atmospheric drought conditions compared with soil drought alone. Given a lack of outdoor manipulations of this kind, our results emphasize the importance of atmospheric drying on functional trait responses more broadly. We suggest that drought methods focused purely on soil water inputs may be imprecisely predicting drought effects on other terrestrial organisms as well (other plants, arthropods, and higher trophic levels).

Outcomes of alveolar cleft repair in complete cleft lip and palate after tertiary gingivoperiosteoplasty and segmental Le Fort I osteotomy.

Gingivoperiosteoplasty is often used for reconstruction of alveolar defects in infants with cleft lip and palate. This study aimed to examine outcomes of tertiary gingivoperiosteoplasty, which has not previously been investigated. This prospective study included 11 adults with complete cleft lip and palate (n = 12 sites) who consecutively underwent segmental Le Fort I osteotomy and concomitant gingivoperiosteoplasty for correction of skeletal class III deformity, nasoalveolar fistula and alveolar cleft. Outcomes included clinical and radiographic evaluations of gingivoperiosteoplasty at the time of osteotomy (presence of nasoalveolar fistula, residual cleft defect and unsupported root ratio of cleft-adjacent teeth), and determination of influencing factors for the clinical success of alveolar cleft repair. Study variables included age, gender, pre-surgical orthodontic treatment and alveolar cleft width of cleft-adjacent canine and angulation between cleft-adjacent teeth before surgery and 1-week postsurgery. Posttreatment, no nasoalveolar fistula remained. The residual cleft defect decreased significantly (p < 0.01). The unsupported root ratio of cleft-adjacent teeth did not differ (p > 0.05); eight cleft sites reached Bergland I or II (67% success). One-week postsurgery, the minimal alveolar cleft width of cleft-adjacent canine was significantly less in the success group compared with the failed group (p = 0.01). Tertiary gingivoperiosteoplasty and segmental Le Fort I osteotomy decreased nasoalveolar fistulas and induced alveolar bone formation. The minimal alveolar cleft width immediately after surgery was the major influencing factor of clinical success. Segmental Le Fort I osteotomy with simultaneous gingivoperiosteoplasty efficaciously repairs adult alveolar clefts.

Aortic root and left ventricular diameters ratio: a new tool to differentiate the athlete's heart from pathological aortic dilatation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Training-induced cardiac remodelling is usually accompanied by a harmonic and symmetric adaptation of cardiac chambers. Mild aortic enlargement may be a consequence of intense training, although even the definition of aortic dilatation, particularly in athletes and tall athletes, is sometimes challenging. It is therefore essential to early identify competitive athletes with aortic dilatation to manage this condition appropriately. Purpose This study aimed to test a new parameter for the definition of aortic dilatation in competitive athletes, assessing the balancing cardiac remodelling in athletes through the ratio between the aortic diameter and left ventricular (LV) diameter. Methods Competitive athletes were compared with sedentary subjects and with patients with known aortic dilatation. 1901 subjects who underwent echocardiography from 2019 to 2022 were retrospectively enrolled: 993 athletes (74% males, mean age 26±7 years), 410 sedentary (74.1% males, mean age 29±11 years) and 498 patients with aortic dilatation (74.3% males, mean age 56±7 years). Results Patients with aortic dilatation had both an absolute (39.2±2.4 mm) and indexed (19.4±2.2 mm/m2) aortic diameter larger than athletes (30.6±3.2 mm; 16.1±1.5 mm/m2) and sedentary subjects ( 30.5±3.1 mm; 16.5±1.6 mm/m2), with no statistically significant differences between athletes and sedentary subjects. The ratio between the aortic diameter and LV end-diastolic diameter was lower in athletes (0.59 ± 0.06), compared to sedentary subjects (0.65 ± 0.05) and to patients with aortic dilatation (0.81 ± 0.06). The latter had a significantly higher value than the remaining groups (p &amp;lt;0.05). The analysis of the ROC curves highlighted that the cut-off of the ratio between the aortic root diameter and LV diastolic diameter was 0.71, with a 96% sensitivity and 99% specificity of detecting a pathological aortic dilatation. Conclusions This study tested a new echocardiographic parameter for the definition of an aortic dilatation in competitive athletes. The ratio between aortic diameter and LV end-diastolic diameter, with a cut off of 0.71, demonstrated a good sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between physiological and pathological remodelling of the aorta.

Root Growth, Nutrient Uptake, Nodulation and Yield of Summer Mung [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] as Influenced by Land Configuration and Varying Nutrient Management Practices under Coastal Plains of Odisha

Background: Green gram being an important legume crop, its rooting traits and nodule characteristics are vital in determining its overall productivity. Land configuration plays a crucial role in influencing the root and nodule growth in green gram. Judicious use of balanced nutrients and fertilizers is needed owing to the sustainability concern of the environment and also for optimising the production process. Methods: Field experiments were carried out at the Agronomy Main Research Farm, O.U.A.T. Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during 2020 and 2021 to study the effect of different land configuration methods and varying nutrient management practices on the root growth, nutrient uptake and yield of summer mung. Split-plot Design was adopted with three replications having four main plot and 6 sub-plot treatments. Result: The outcomes of the experiment showed that raised bed method with PDM-139 cultivar gave the highest pooled root length (13.1 cm), root dry weight (1.52 g) and shoot: root ratio (6.83). F6 nutrient management treatment gave synonymous results (12.16 cm root length, 1.53 g root dry weight). Similar trend was observed for number of nodules (15.48 nodules/plant) and nodule fresh weight (25.50 g) under land configuration, variety and (16.61 nodules/plant, 25.50 g) under nutrient management respectively. The total nutrient uptake in grain and straw for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium was found to be the highest in flat-bed method with PDM-139 cultivar. The result revealed that sowing of green gram on raised bed land configuration with PDM 139 along with nutrient management practice based on STCR equations (F6) significantly produced more yield (522.84 kg/ha and 455.29 kg/ha respectively) than the other treatments. The study revealed that there was positive correlation between the grain yield and the respective N, P2O5 and K2O uptakes.

Fetal echocardiographic features associated with bicuspid aortic valve.

Prenatal diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve is challenging. Bicuspid aortic valve is often associated with aortic dilation. Fetuses with postnatally confirmed bicuspid aortic valve were gestational age-matched with normal controls. Complex lesions were excluded. Aortic valve and arch measurements by two blinded investigators were compared. We identified 27 cases and 27 controls. Estimated fetal weight percentile was lower in cases than controls. Seven cases had one or more significant lesions including perimembranous ventricular septal defects (n = 2), isolated annular hypoplasia (n = 2), and/or arch hypoplasia/coarctation (n = 4). Fetuses with bicuspid aortic valves had significantly smaller median z-scores of the aortic annulus (-1.60 versus -0.53, p < 0.001) and root (-1.10 versus -0.53, p = 0.040), and larger ratios of root to annulus (1.32 versus 1.21, p < 0.001), sinotubular junction to annulus (1.07 versus 0.99, p < 0.001), ascending aorta to annulus (1.29 versus 1.18, p < 0.001), and transverse aorta to annulus (1.04 versus 0.96, p = 0.023). Leaflets were "doming" in 11 cases (41%) and 0 controls (p = 0.010), "thickened" in 10 cases (37%) and 0 controls (p = 0.002). We noted similar findings in the subgroup without significant additional cardiac defects. The appearance of doming or thickened aortic valve leaflets on fetal echocardiogram is associated with bicuspid aortic valve. Compared to controls, fetuses with bicuspid aortic valve had smaller aortic annulus sizes (possibly related to smaller fetal size) without proportionally smaller aortic measurements, resulting in larger aortic dimension to annulus ratios. Despite inherent challenges of diagnosing bicuspid aortic valve prenatally, these findings may increase suspicion and prompt appropriate postnatal follow-up.

Responses of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents and stoichiometry in soil and fine roots to natural vegetation restoration in a tropical mountainous area, Southern China.

The stoichiometry of key elements such as C, N, and P is an important indicator of ecosystem nutrient status and biogeochemical cycling. Nevertheless, the responses of soil and plant C:N:P stoichiometric characteristics to natural vegetation restoration remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated C, N, and P contents and stoichiometry in soil and fine roots along vegetation restoration stages (grassland, shrubland, secondary forest, and primary forest) in a tropical mountainous area in southern China. We found that soil organic carbon, total N, C:P ratio, and N:P ratio significantly increased with vegetation restoration and significantly decreased with increasing soil depth, whereas there was no significant effect on soil total P and C:N ratio. Furthermore, vegetation restoration significantly increased the fine root N and P content and N:P ratio, whereas soil depth significantly decreased the fine root N content and increased the C:N ratio. The increasing average N:P ratio in fine roots from 17.59 to 21.45 suggested that P limitation increased with vegetation restoration. There were many significant correlations between C, N, and P contents and their ratios in soil and fine roots, indicating a reciprocal control of nutrient stoichiometric characteristics between them. These results contribute to our understanding of changes in soil and plant nutrient status and biogeochemical cycling during vegetation restoration and provide valuable information for restoration and management of tropical ecosystems.

Prognosis of Maxillary Central Incisors in Patients with Bilateral Cleft Lip/Palate.

Evaluate periodontal bone support of maxillary central incisors (MCI) in patients with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate (BCCLP). Determine if syndromic diagnosis, age at time of alveolar bone graft (ABG), presence of maxillary lateral incisor (MLI), history of dentofacial orthopedics, maxillary expansion, and pre-maxillary osteotomy are associated with the periodontal bone support of MCI. Retrospective radiographic study. Tertiary care children's hospital One hundred seventy-nine patients with BCCLP (22 syndromic) who had post-operative ABG cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans taken between 2002-2018. Crown to root (C/R) ratio of MCI measured on CBCT scans. The C/R ratio in 65% of MCI indicated periodontally compromised teeth. Presence of a MLI improved bone support on adjacent MCI when compared to those missing a MLI (51.4% vs 28.4%, P = .010). There was no significant difference in C/R ratios for syndromic diagnosis, age at ABG, history of dentofacial orthopedics, maxillary expansion, and pre-maxillary osteotomy. The majority of MCI in patients with BCCLP are periodontally compromised but bone support is improved when cleft adjacent lateral incisors are present.